Fla. Policewomen Reality Show in Hot Water With Officials

A reality television series that profiles female deputies is in hot water with one Broward county city.

Pompano Beach city leaders have learned that a recent arrest within city limits was filmed by the production crew taping the TV show.

"The Real Policewomen of Broward County" is aired nationally on the cable television network TLC. Pompano Beach was in much of the first season but some residents complained about the cameras.

"The BSO deputies get overly dramatic when they arrest people. To me, that's a problem," said community activist Vicente Thrower at last month's commission meeting.

However, days after Thrower launched the complaint in front of commissioners, BSO deputies arrested the 31-year-old during a prostitution sting. The bust happened at a motel in the 1400 block of NW 31st Avenue in Pompano Beach.

The city's issue is that the film crew was denied a permit to shoot a second season of the series in Pompano Beach.

"There were verbal conversations as well as written commitments for it not to occur," said Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher.

"We're so proud of so many things to offer in our city. But they were just showing some of the seediest areas in our community and we had enough," he added.

The show has seen its share of controversy.

In February, a man was hit by a car on Hallandale Beach Boulevard when a driver became distracted by the lights and cameras filming an arrest on the side of the road.

Last month, a producer was fired over claims that offenders were offered cash in exchange for consent to use their face on TV. Offenders claimed they were offered as much as $500.

This season, the show can be found shooting in Deerfield Beach, Pembroke Park and unincorporated parts of Broward County.

The Broward Sheriff's Office released the following statement to Local 10 Thursday night: "The show is about women in law enforcement who put their lives on the line for the residents and visitors of Broward County. The Sheriff's Office works with the production company to ensure that any reference to city names and landmarks are obscured or eliminated during the editing process."

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